Following a tumultuous period marked by serious allegations, former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has spoken publicly for the first time since losing his television roles. In an interview with MailOnline, Wallace detailed the devastating impact of the scandal on his personal and professional life, revealing he grappled with thoughts of suicide.
The presenter, who dedicated two decades to the MasterChef franchise working alongside countless contestants and crew members, described feeling intensely targeted as accusations began to surface. Last year, several women publicly accused Wallace of engaging in “inappropriate” conduct.
The severity of the situation prompted a strong reaction from political leaders; Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer deemed Wallace’s comments “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”
Wallace recounted a poignant phone call with his late mother, who expressed her concern after hearing news coverage. He recalled her words: “‘Love, what’s going on? The Prime Minister’s talking about you. Who have you upset? Why are they picking on you?’”
His response at the time reflected the turmoil he was experiencing: “‘I’ve said something really stupid. They’re investigating my behaviour, but more and more people are coming forward with complaints about me. Mum, they’re not all true. I haven’t done these things.'”
During this incredibly challenging time, Wallace felt profoundly isolated. He stated: “Nobody from the BBC contacted me once these stories started breaking—absolutely nobody at all.”
The fallout was relentless. Wallace described a constant barrage of online abuse and an overwhelming volume of media reports arriving at his home. He expressed feeling abandoned as his reputation crumbled.
Among the accusations, Newsnight host Kirsty Wark claimed that Wallace had made “sexualised” jokes during the filming of Celebrity MasterChef in 2011. Wallace maintains he was unaware of any offense caused until her complaint became public.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Wallace described a period of intense distress: “You don’t sleep. Your chest races. Your body feels like it’s shutting down because it can’t cope with the levels of stress. You feel really dirty and horrible because everybody is saying you’re a pervert.”
Addressing his controversial response—in which he referred to his accusers as “middle class women of a certain age”—Wallace acknowledged it as “the biggest mistake but, by far, the best thing I could have done.” He explained that this outburst ultimately prompted contact from a MasterChef executive, breaking through his isolation.
“He was the first person I’d spoken to in days. Nobody should be left on their own to face something like this,” Wallace stated.
Wallace bravely revealed the extent of his suicidal ideation during that period:
- “I thought about suicide all the time.”
- “Is my insurance up to date?”
- “Will Anna get some money? She doesn’t deserve this.”
- “It would be better if I wasn’t here.”
Fortunately, Banijay UK arranged for a crisis mentor who Wallace described as his “life raft,” providing crucial support. The mentor recommended a comprehensive mental health screening, which resulted in a diagnosis of profound autism.
Wallace stepped down from his hosting role on MasterChef alongside John Torode in November following the mounting complaints. Both the BBC and Banijay UK initiated formal investigations into the allegations. Wallace’s legal team has consistently denied any claims of sexual harassment, asserting that “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
